Bag sealing machine



March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL BAG SEALING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Dec. 17, 1947 a Q Q INVEN ORS I ATTORNEYS I March 25, 1952 FiledDec. 17, 1947 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL BAG SEALING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 2March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL BAG SEALING MACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Dec. 17, 1947 ATTORNEYS March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL2,590,082

BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 i0 Sheets-Sheet 4 75 6,,ATTORNEYS March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,082

. BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17. 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 i ATTORNEYSMarch 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,032

BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYSMarch 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,082

BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 an m ifATTORNEYS March 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,082

" BAG SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. '17, 1947 1o Sheets-Sheet a ATTORNEYSMarch 25, 1952 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL 2,590,082

BAG SEALING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 March 25, 1952Filed Dec. 17, 1947 A. E. ALMGREN ETAL BAG SEALING MACHINE 10Sheets-Sheet 1O llllllllll f Patented Mar. 25, 1952 BAG SEALING MACHINEAugust E. Almgren, Hillside, John P. Jakob, Roselle, and Frank W.Goodrich, Newark, N. J assignors to American Can Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 17, 1947, SerialNo. 792,124

18 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a machine for sealing filled paper bagsand other flexible containers and has particular reference to a multiplestation machine arranged to receive a filled bag, seal it and thendischarge it from the machine while traveling through a single cycle ofoperation. This is a companion application to our copending UnitedStates applications Serial Numberf792,122, filed December 17, 1947, onSeal .ing Head Mechanism for Closing and Sealing ally or by machine andin either case are arranged in orderly rows and layers so that asubstantially firm and solid package results when the bag is closed.

In packing the cans into the bag, it has been found that for bestresults, the bag should be held in a horizontal position so that thecans may be handled horizontally. However, in this horizontal fillingposition the bag is diflicult to seal. For this reason the bag whenfilled usually is turned into an upright position for sealing.

' The filled bag is usually handled manually for effecting theseoperations.

The instant invention contemplates the pro- .vision of a continuouslyoperating machine for handling and sealing these bags.

An object of the invention is the provision of a multiple stationmachine for sealing filled bags or other flexible containers wherein afilled bag is received directly from the filling machineyis turned intosealing position, is completely sealed and, is discharged in one cycleof the machine thereby expediting the handling of the bags so that thehigh speed production of the machines that fill the bags may bemaintained at their highest point of efiiciency. Another object is theprovision of such a machine wherein the filled bags are handled entirelyby the machine, thus eliminating all manual handling or transfer fromone machine to ,another.

Numerous'other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a bag handling machine embodying theinstant invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with partsbroken away;

Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sections taken substantially along thebroken lines 3-3, 44 respectively in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 5-5 inFig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan detail of a portion of the machine shown inFig. 5, with parts broken away;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged front elevation of a portion of the machine at theleft in Fig. 5 with certain of the parts in a diiferent position, partsbeing broken away;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line 8-3 inFig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along theline 9-9 in Fig. 6, with parts broken away;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are sectional details taken substantially along thelines Ill-40, l|| I, l2l2 respectively, in Fig. 4, with parts brokenaway;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged top plan view of a sealing head used in themachine and shown at the right in Fig. 5, with parts broken away;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l4ld inFig. 13, with parts broken away;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing the controldevices and showing a piping diagram for fluid operated .devices foractuating the sealing head, with parts broken away;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of a plurality of fluidslide valves included in the control devices shown in Fig. 15, withparts broken away;

17 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of a plurality of fluidoperated devices shown in Fig. 15, with parts broken away;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the upper open endof a bag filled with cans preparatory to being sealed in the machineshown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18 showing the bag closed and sealed;

Figs. 20, 21 and 22 are enlarged perspective views showing a corner of abag and illustrating how the marginal corner and marginal side sectionsare folded into sealing position; and

Fig. 23 is an enlarged sectional View showing a pleated corner foldtaken substantially along the line 2323 in Fig. 19.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate amultiple station sealing machine arranged to receive a bag or flexiblecontainer A (Fig. 18) filled with empty cans B, for sealing. The bagpreferably is made of fibre material and in general is of a rectagularconfiguration as best shown in Figs. 18 and 19. When the bag is filledwith cans, a marginal edge portion C of the bag extends beyond the cansa distance sufiicient to permit folding of this portion inwardly againsta fiat sheet or closure member D for completely closing and sealing thebag. The closure member is inserted manually or "in any other suitablemanner, after the bag is filled. This closure member is provided with aband of adhesive or glue E on its outer surface, adjacent but in spacedrelation .to its outer periphery, for securing the folded portion of thebag to the closure member.

A bag to be sealed is received in a horizontal position, at a receivingstation F (Fig. 2) and is first turned into an upright position at thisstation; The uprighted bag is then shifted along a curved path of travelthrough an idle station G,

and into a sealing station H where the marginal edge portion C of thebag is folded inwardly and downwardly against the adhesive coatedportions of the closure member D as best shown in Fig. 19. This sealsthe bag.

The folded over portions of the bag are held "in place to insurecomplete bonding, while the bag is shifted along the same curved path oftravel through two idle stations J, K and into a discharge station L. Atthe discharge station the pressure on the folded portions is releasedand the fully sealed bag is discharged from the machine and carried toany suitable place of dis- 'charge. This completes the cycle ofoperation of the machine.

The machine is of the rotary type, having the six stations F, G, H, J,K, L equally spaced and -arranged in a circle around the machine.

The filled bags A to be sealed are received and advanced through thestations progressively and "intermittentlyyin sheet metal cradles 2|(Figs.

1 and 2) which are of rectangular shape to con- .fine the bags. Thereare six of these cradles, one for. each station,

and they are moved through'the different stations so that bags indifferent stages of sealing can be operated upon simultaneously.

Each cradle 2| is formed with a bottom 22 (see Figs. 1 and 7) 'threefixed side walls 23, and

free end of the latch is tapered for engagement by the locking pin 29when the door is hinged into closed position, to swing the latch to oneside for engaging its locking notch with the locking pin. A pair of stoppins 3| carried on the side wall of the cradle limits the swingingmovement of the latch to prevent excessive overthrow.

Each cradle 2| is mounted in the machine in such a manner that it can betilted into various positions for receiving, sealing, and discharging abag A. For this purpose each cradle is secured to a U-shaped yoke orbracket 33 (Figs. 1 and 7) which extends across the bottom of the cradleand which is formed with legs which extend up along the two oppositeside walls 23 of the cradle. The upper ends of the legs of the yokecarry trunnions 34 which are rotatably mounted in the upper ends of aU-shaped support bracket 35 disposed adjacent the yoke 33.

The support bracket 35 is mounted on the outer spread apart ends of ahorizontal, bifurcated movable support member 36 (see Fig. 3). Thismember 36 is pivotally carried on the lower ends of two pairs of uprightparallelogram links 3'! (Fig. 1). There is one of these support brackets35 and support members 36 for each cradle 2|. The upper ends of all ofthe paralellelogram links 31 are carried on pivot pins 38 secured in ahorizontally disposed intermittently rotatable support disc or wheel 39having a hub 4| freely mounted on a vertical stationary shaft 42.. Theupper end of the shaft issecured in a bearing 43 of a frame 44 mountedon a base plate 45 which constitutes the main frame of the machine. Thelower end of the shaft is secured in a bearing 43 formed in the machinebase plate.

Tilting of the cradles 2| is effected by a curved tilting lever 48(Fig. 1) having one end pivotally connected to the cradle adjacent itsdoor 24. The opposite end of the lever is pivotally connected to a lug49 which extends down from the support disc 35. There is one of thesetilting levers 48 for each cradle 2| and it moves with the cradle andthe support disc.

The tilting of a cradle 2| is effected under pressure of a tensionspring 5| (Fig. 1). There is one spring for each cradle. One end of thespring is secured to the hub 4| of the support disc. The opposite end ofthe spring is hooked over a rod 52, the ends of which are secured in theouter pair of support links 31.

The cradles 2| are intermittently moved into the stations F,G, H, J, K,L in succession by a conventional indexing device 55 (Figs. 1 and 8)located near the top of the machine. purpose the cradle support disc 39is formed with a sleeve 56 which is an extension of the disc hub 4| andwhich extends up through a bearing 51 formed on a bracket 58 secured tothe machine frame 44. At its upper end, adjacent the stationary shaftbearing 43, the sleeve carries an indexing wheel 6| having a pluralityof depending cam rollers 62 arranged in a circle adjacent its outerperiphery. There are six of these cam rollers, one for each station inthe machine.

The cam rollers 62 are individually engageable in an interrupted camgroove 63 formed in a continuously rotating cam 64 mounted on ahorizontal indexing shaft 65. The shaft is journaled in a plurality ofbearings 66 secured to the machine frame 44. Rotation of the shaft isbrought about by a sprocket 6'! which is carried on its outer end. Thesprocket is rotated by an endless chain 68 (see Fig. 2) which is drivenby-a sprocket 69 mounted on a main drive shaft journaled in a bearing 12carried on the machine base plate 45.

The drive shaft may be driven in any suitable manner.

The cam groove 63 is shaped to engage one roller 62 at a time and for aportion of the rota- For this machine controlled thereby, stationary toallow sufiicient time to perform an operation on the bag in a cradle 2|.

In the operation of the machine, the cycle of travel of a cradle 2|,begins with its entry into the receiving station F for the reception ofan unsealed bag A after just discharging a sealed bag at the dischargestation L (see Fig. 2). This shifting of the cradle into the receivingstation is efl'ected by a partial rotation of the cradle support disc 39by the indexing device 55 as just explained. The empty cradle enters thereceiving station in a slightly tilted relation to the horizontal', withits door 24 partially open and riding on r a stationary lifter cam 14(Fig. 5).

When the cradle 2| comes to rest at the receiving station F, its supportmember 36 is swung outwardly on the support links 31 and this causes thetilting lever 48 to rock the cradle into a horizontal position as bestshown in Fig. 1. This outward projection of the cradle into a horizontalposition is effected by a shift rod 8| (Figs. 1 and 4) which is disposedin a horizontal position below the path of travel of the cradles. Therod is. carried in a slide bearing 82 formed on the machine base 45 atthe receiving station.

The outer end of the rod 8| is formed with a rounded head which engagesagainst a curved shoe 83 which extends down from the outer ends of thebifurcated support member 35. There is one of these shoes for eachcradle 2| and they are of sufficient length to form a complete circlearound the machine when taken collectively. The cradle tension spring 5|holds the shoe against the rod. The inner end of the shift rod 8|engages against the free end of a cam lever 84 (Figs. 1, 4 and 12)carried on a pivot stud 95 secured in the machine base plate 45. Thislever carries a cam roller .85 which operates against a continuouslyrotating edge cam or tilting cam 87 freely mounted on the vertical fixedshaft 42. A spring 88 keeps the roller in engagement with the cam. Oneend of the spring is secured in an arm 89 formed on the lever. Theopposite end of the spring is hooked over a pin 9! secured in themachine base plate 45.

The edge cam 81 is rotated on the fixed shaft 42, once for each partialrotation of the cradle 2!. For this purpose the cam is formed with abevel gear 93 (Fig. 1) which meshes with and is driven by a bevel gear94 mounted on the inner end of a short shaft 95 journaled in a pair ofspaced bearings 96 formed on the machine base plate 45.

The shaft is continuously rotated by an endless chain 91 (Figs. 2 and 3)which operates over a sprocket 98 (Fig. 1) mounted on the outer end ofthe shaft 95 and over a dliViIlg sprocket 99 (Fig.

2) carried on the main drive shaft .1 I.

' In the outwardly projected horizontal position of the cradle 2I at thereceiving station F, the open end of the cradle is facing outwardly andis in horizontal alignment with a bag loading mandrel or horn IGI (Figs.1 and 2) which includes a plurality of horizontally disposed rods I02 onwhich an empty bag A is held while it is filled with. the cansB. These.rods are supported in a frame I03 which may be a part of a moreelaboratemachine for filling the cans into the bag. Such a machineisdisclosed in United. States Patent 1,950,370 issued March 6, 1934, toG. W.

Mudd on Packaging Machine and in the pending application, Serial Number792,273, filed December 17, 1947, on Filling Machine by John P. Jakob, aco-applicant herein. The bags preferably are placed on the horn IilImanually.

When a bag A is filled with cans B, the cans andthe bag, as a unit, arestripped from the horn bars I02 by a reciprocating pusher plate I94(Figs. 1 and 2) which is disposed in front of the horn IIlI in spacedrelation thereto to permit the loading of cans into the bag. The pusherplate I94 is reciprocated through a forward or pushing stroke and thencethrough a return stroke by air or other fluid pressure. For this purposethe plate is mounted on the inner end of a piston rod I05 having apiston operating in a cylinder I96 secured to a bracket I01 bolted tothe bag filling machine frame I03.

Compressed air or'other suitable fluid is introduced into the cylinderby way of tubes III, H2 (Fig. 1) which are connected to the cylinder ateach end thereof and which communicate with the interior of thecylinder. These tubes III, I I2 lead to and are connected with a controlvalve H3 (Fig. 16) having a bore H4 containing a slide valve plunger H5.The ends of the plunger extend beyond the valve H3 and are formed withlongitduinal vent channels H6, H! which communicate with the outsideatmosphere. Intermediate its ends the plunger is formed with an annularchannel H8 which constantly communicates with a fluid inlet tube H9secured in the valve H3. This inlet tube leads to a suitable supply ofcompressed air or other fluid under pressure.

The normal position of the valve plunger H5 in its valve H3 is shown inFig. 16. In this position the lower end of the plunger blocks offcommunication between the tube III and the inlet tube H9 and vents thetube III and the cylinder I06 on one side of the piston, to the outsideatmosphere by way of the plunger vent,

H5. The tube II 2 is in' communication with the inlet pipe H9 andtherefore is conveying fluid under pressure to the cylinder on theopposite side of the piston. The vent II! is out of register with thetube I I2.

The plunger H5 is yieldably retained in this normal position by a springI2I which is interposed between the outer end of the plunger and aretaining strap I22 secured to the valve. This spring presses the innerend of the plunger against a rotatable edge cam I23 (Fig. 15) whichconstitutes a member of a control mechanism I24. The cam is mounted on acontinuously rotating cam shaft I25 (see also Fig. 1) journaled in apair of spaced bearings I25 formed in a bracket I 21 bolted to the topof the machine frame 46. The cam shaft I25 is rotated in time with themovement of the cradles 2| through the stations of the machine, onerevolution for each stepped advancement, by an endless chain I28(Fig. 1) which operates over a sprocket I29 on the cam shaft and over adriving sprocket I3I mounted on the indexing shaft 65.

Hence through its connection with the indexing shaft 65, the cam shaftI25 rotates the edge cam I23 and thus operates the valve H3 at theproper time to introduce fluid under pressure into the outer end of thecylinder I525. The entry of the fluid into this end of the cylinderforces the pusher plate I04 against the cans B in the bag A and thuspushes the cans and the bag as a unit, horizontally off the horn barsI02 and directly into the waitingcradle 2i at the receiving station F.

When the filled bag A is fully seated in the cradle 2|, the door 24 isclosed, while the pusher plate I84 returns to its original position inreadiness for the next bag. The closing of the door is brought about bya fluid actuated closing pin I35 (Fig. 1) which is disposed at thereceiving station and which is formed with a piston I36 located in afluid cylinder I31 formed on a bracket I38 bolted to the machine baseplate 45. A compression spring l4I disposed around the pin andinterposed between the top of the cylinder and the piston, keeps the pinin a normally depressed position as shown in Fig. 1. .The lower end ofthe cylinder is in communication with and is connected by a tube I42(see also Figs. 2 and to a valve I43 which is similar to the valve II3(Fig. 16) and which is connected to the fluid inlet tube H9. The valveis actuated by an edge cam I44 carried on the cam shaft I adjacent thecam I23.

The edge cam I44 operates the valve I43 at the proper time and therebypermits air from the inlet tube H9 to flow through the valve and intothe cylinder I31. This fiuid raises the closing pin I35 against theresistance of the spring HI and thereby lifts the door up into closedposition. During this upward travel of the door, its. locking pin 29engages the tapered nose of the latch 26 and pushes it to one side untilthe locking notch 28 engages over the locking pin 29 and thus securelylocks the door in closed position. Upon locking of the door, the cam I44closes the valve I43 and cuts off the supply of fluid. The spring I4Ithereupon returns the closing pin I35 to its original lowered positionin readiness for the next bag.

With the filled bag A locked securely in the cradle 2|, the cradle istilted into an upright position, as shown at the right in Fig. 1, whilethe cradle is still at the receiving station F. This tilting of thecradle is effected by the tilting cam 31 which rocks the lever 84inwardly and thus relieves the pressure on the shift rod 3|. Thispermits the cradle tension spring 5I to draw the cradle support member33 inwardly and during this inward movement the tilting lever 48 rotatesthe cradle into its upright position.

When the cradle 2I is in a fully upright position, the indexingmechanism 55 turns the cradle support disc 39 through one step orpartial rotation and thereby shifts the cradle 21 and its bag A into theidle station G. At this station the closure member D may be insertedinto the bag. This preferably is a manual operation. During this samepartial rotation an empty cradle 2i is shifted into the receivingstation F. The filled upright cradle 2i at the idle station G remainsstationary at this station until the empty cradle at the receivingstation receives its filled bag and then the indexing mechanism againturns the cradle support disc 33 through another partial rotation.During this second rotation, the upright cradle 2! shifts into the bagsealing station H.

The upright cradle 2! and its filled bag A entering the sealing stationH comes to rest im- 8 top link I51 which collectively form aparallelogram system of links which maintains the head in a levelposition while permitting vertical travel.

The outer ends of the two side links I56 are mounted on trunnions I58which are formed on the lower ends of the bracket legs I53. The innerends of these links are carried on pivot pins I59 (Fig. 5) secured inlugs I60 which extend down from a flange I6I formed on the upper end ofthe stationary bearing 51 of the bracket 58. The single top link I51 atits outer end is bifurcated and is mounted on a pivot pin I62 carried ina pair of spaced upright legs I63 formed on the bracket I54 andextending up inside of the bifurcated end of the link. The inner end ofthe link is mounted on a pivot pin I64 carried in the stationary lugsI68.

Vertical movement of the sealing head IEI is efiected by a vertical linkI65 (Figs. 5 and 14) pivotally mounted on the pivot pin I62. The upperend of the link is pivotally connected to a piston rod I having a pistonwhich operates within a vertically disposed cylinder I61 secured to themain frame 44. The ends of the cylinder are connected by tubes I1I, I12to a valve I13 (Fig. 15) which is similar to the pusher plate valve H3and which is connected to the fluid inlet pipe II3. This valve I13 islocated adjacent the valve I43 and is actuated by an edge cam' I14mounted adjacent the cam I44 on the cam shaft I25, to connect the tubesI1I I12 alternately with the fluid inlet tube I I9.

When fluid under pressure passes through the tube ill into the upper endof the cylinder I61, the piston within the cylinder pushes the sealinghead I5I down on top of the open end of the bag as best shown in Fig. 5.A tapered hood I15 (see also Fig. 14) secured to the bottom of the headframe I52 guides the upstanding marginal edge portion C of the bag Ainto the head as the latter moves down over it for the sealing operationand thereby prevents crushing or distortion of this portion of the bag.After the sealing operation the head !5| is raised to its normalelevated position by the action of the cam I14 on its valve I13,permitting fluid to enter the cylinder I61 through the tube I12 whileventing the tube I1 I.

While the sealing head I5I is in sealing position on the open end of thebag A, it folds the usptanding marginal edge portion C of the baginwardly and downwardly against the adhesive coated port-ions of theclosure member D and thus seals the bag. This folding operationpreferably is effected in two stages, a corner fold ing stage and a sidefolding stage, to produce a neat appearing fold as best shown in Fig.19.

Folding of the corners of the upstanding marginal edge portion C isbrought about by four triangular shaped corner folding elements I16(Figs. 13, 20, 21 and 22) which are located one at each corner of thehead frame I52. and which are normally in an upright position. Theseelements are mounted on pivot pins I11 carried in pairs of spaced lugsI18 which project downwardly from the inside of the head frame at itscorners. Each folding element is formed with a pair of spaced actuatingarms I19 which are pivotally connected to the lower end of a link IBI.The upper end of the link is connected to a piston rod I82 (Figs. 15 and17) having a piston I83 operates in a cylinder I84. There are four ofthese cylinders and they are located one at each corner of the headframe I52 and are secured to the frame as shown in Fig. 11.

flexible tube I93 to the valve I88. The valve I88 like the other valvesII3, I53, I13 is connected to the fluid inlet tube I9 and is operated tobring the supply pipes I85, I9I alternately into communication with theinlet tube I I9. Actuation of the valve I88 is brought about by an edgecam I95 which is mounted on the cam shaft I25 adjacent the headactuating cam I14 as shown in Fig. 15 and is rotated by this shaft.

Hence during the rotation of the cam shaft I25, the edge cam I95actuates the valve I88 to permit fluid under pressure from the maininlet tube II9 to flow through the lower supply pipe I9I, while ventingthe upper supply pipe I85, and to enter all of the corner cylinders I84simultaneously, below the pistons I88. This fluid pushes the pistonsupand thereby simultaneously rocks all of the corner folding elements I16inwardly and downwardly against the corners of the upstanding marginaledge portion C of the bag to be sealed, as best shown in Fig. 20.

This action of the corner folding elements I16 folds the corners of themarginal edge portion C inwardly and downwardly against the adhesivecoated portion of the closure member D in the top of the bag. The cornerelements I16hold The side portions of the marginal edge portion C arefolded into place by a plurality of side folding elements I91 (Figs. 13,14, 20, 21 and'22) which are normally disposed in an upright position.These side folding elements I81 are located inside the head frame I52and extend along the sides of the bag A to be sealed, from one cornerelement I16 to the other. Along the inner edge of the head, three aretwo short folding elements I91 with a clearance space between them asshown in Fig. 13. Each side folding element I91 is formed with a pair ofspaced lugs I93 which are mounted on pivot pins I99 carried in a bracket206 secured to the inner face of the head frame The side foldingelements I91 are hinged toward and away from the bag A by arms 283 whichare ders 285 are connected by and are in communica tion with a fluidsupply'pipe 281 (Fig. 15) having a lead pipe .888 connected by aflexible tube 288 to .a valve 2 which is similar to the valve H8 (Fig.'16) and which is located adjacent the valve I88.

The lower ends of the cylinders 286 are connected by and are incommunication with a fluid supply pipe 2I2 having a lead pipe H3connected by a flexible tube 2M to the valve 2| I. The valve 2| I 7 likethe other valves II3, I43, I13, I88 is connected to the fluid inlet tubeI I9 and is operated to bring the supply pipes 201, M2 alternately intocommunication with the inlet tube IE9. Actuation of the valve 2 I I isbrought about by an edge cam 2H5 which is mounted on the cam shaft I25adjacent the corner folding elements actuating cam I as shown in Fig. 15and is rotated by this shaft.

Hence during the rotation of the cam shaft I25, the edge cam 2I6actuates the valve 2I I to permit fluid under pressure from the inlettube II9 to flow through the lower supply pipe 2I2, while venting theupper supply pipe 201, and to enter all of the side folding cylinders286 simultaneously, below the pistons in the cylinders. This fluidpushes the pistons up and therebysirriultaneously rocks all of the sidefolding elements 591 inwardly and downwardly against the' up standingmarginal edge portion C of the bag A as best shown in Fig. 21. Thisaction of the side folding elements I91 folds the sides of the marginaledge portion C inwardly and downwardly against the adhesive coatedportion or the closure member Din the top of the bag. Whiie the sidefolding elements I 91 temporarily hold down the folded over sideportions of the marginaledge portion C, the corner folding elements $18are quickl lifted as shown in Fig. 22 to release their hold on thefolded over corners of the edge'portion C. This permits the folded overside portions, adjacent the corner portions to overlap the cornerportions as shown in Fig. 22. The corner elements I16 are immediatelypressed down again to crease these overlapping sections of the sideportions to provide a n'eat appearing corner fold as best shown in Fig-23. This action of the corner folding elements is brought about by thecam I'during its opera tion of the valve I88. While the folded oversections of the marginal edge portion C of the bag are temporarily heldin place by the corner folding elements I16 and the. side foldingelements 181, the inner edges of this portion are pressed down againstthe closure member D to complete the sealing of the bag. This is broughtabout by a rectangular shaped sealing pad 22I (Figsl, 5, 13 and 14)which is disposed in a normally raised position, as shown at the left inFig. 5, above the cradle 29 when it is in an uprighted position. Thereis one of the sealing pads for each cradle and it moves with the cradlein its travel through the stations of the machine. The pad is of properproportions to fit within the outline defined by the inner edges of theclosed corner and side folding elements I16, I91 respectively and isarranged to permit lowering of the sealing head I51 over the pad.

Each of the sealing pads 22I is formed with an inwardly projecting lever222 which when the sealing head l5I is down, extends through a clearanceopening 223 in the head frame I 52 (see Figs. 13 and 14). The levers 222of the pads, intermediate their ends, are mounted on pivotpins 22 3(Figs. 5 and 6) carried in lugs 225 which extend up from the top of thecradle support disc 39. There is one pair of lugs for each lever andthey are disposed adjacent the six cradles and move with the supportdisc. The inner ends of the levers 222 carry cam rollers 226 which whenthe support disc 39 rotates, traverse an interrupted cam groove 221 ofa'stationary barrel cam 228. The cam surrounds the sleeve 56'o'f thesupport disc and is secured to the bottom of the stationary bearing 51of the bracket 58.

The sealing pad 22I is moved down into clamping position on top of thebag A while the bag is at rest at the sealing station H. For thispurpose, a cam roller 226 while at the sealing station, rests in avertically movable slide 23I (Figs. 5, 6 and 9) mounted in a slideway232 formed in the outer edge of the cam 228 and disposed between theupper and lower level ends of the interrupted cam groove 221. The slideis formed with a short cam groove 233 (Fig. which normally is inregister with the lower level end of the cam groove 221 so that as aroller 226 enters the sealing station it readily travels from the lowerlevel end of the groove 221 into the slide groove 233.

At the proper time, the slide 23I moves up in its slideway 232 and thuscarries the cam roller 226 vertically into alignment with the upperlevel end of the cam groove 221. It is this vertical travel of theroller, that rocks the lever 222 and thus moves the sealing pad 22I downonto the bag to complete the sealing operation.

This vertical movement of the cam slide 238 is effected by a piston rod235 (Fig. 5) which is connected to the slide and which is formed with apiston located in a cylinder 236 attached to the flange I6I of thestationary bracket 58. The ends of the cylinder are connected by and arein communication with tubes 231, 238 to a valve 239 which is similar tothe valve H3 (Fig. The valve 239 like the other valves H3, I43, I13,I88, 2H is connected to the fluid inlet tube H6 and is operated to bringthe tubes 231, 238 alternately into communication with the inlet tubeH9. Actuation of the valve 236 is brought about by an edge cam 24I whichis mounted on the cam shaft I25 adjacent the side folding elementactuating cam 2I6 as shown in Fig. 15 and is rotated by this shaft.

As soon as the sealing pad 22I is in place on the bag A to hold thefolded over portions of the bag, the sealing head I5I moves up out ofthe way where it is clear of the bag and the pad. This is brought aboutby its cylinder I61. The cradle 2I is then shifted into and through thetwo idle stations J, K. During this travel of the cradle and the bag,the pad cam roller 225 rides out of the slide groove 233 and into andalong the upper level portion of the cam groove 221. Hence the sealingpad 22I remains in engagement with the folded over portions of the bagand thus insures complete bonding of these parts with the closure memberD. The cam slide 23I returns to its lower level as soon as the camroller 226 moves out of it, so that the slide will be in proper positionto receive the next roller as it enters the sealing station H with itscradle and bag.

As the cradle 2 I, with its now completely sealed bag A, leaves the idlestation K for entry into the discharge station L, the sealing pad 22I islifted clear of the bag by an inclined section of the cam groove 221which slopes down from the upper level to its lower level. The padremains in this elevated position until it again enters the sealingstation H on the next cycle of operation of the machine.

As the cradle approaches the discharge station L, the tapered nose ofthe door locking latch 25 rides up on a stationary inclined cam 2:25 2and 7) secured to the machine frame 45 and thus lifts the latch so thatit releases the cradle door 24 and permits it to swing open just as thecradle comes to rest at the discharge station. The door falls down intoengagement with the lower end of the door support cam 14 (Fig. 5)hereinbefore mentioned. The open door forms an inclined discharge chutewhich in this position is in alignment with one end of a continuouslymoving discharge belt conveyor. 241 (Figs. 2 and 5). The machine end ofthe belt operates over a pulley 243 mounted on a shaft 243 carried in abracket 255 secured to the machine base plate 45. The bracket 250supports the cam 14. The conveyor is operated in any suitable manner.

As the door 24 on the cradle 2| falls open, the cradle itself is tiltedforward to the angular position shown in Fig. 5- and thus throws ordischarges the sealed bag A out onto the conveyor for removal to anysuitable place of deposit. This tilting of the cradle into its angularposition is effected while the cradle support disc 39 is stationarybetween its partial rotations and is brought about by a partial outwardprojection of the cradle support member 36. For this purpose the curvedshoe 83 which extends down from the support member 36 is engaged andpushed outwardly against the resistance of the cradle tension spring 5Iby the outer end of an auxiliary shift rod 255 (Figs. 4, 5 and 11) whichis disposed in a horizontal position below the path of travel of thecradles. The rod is carried in a slide hearing 256 formed on the machinebase at the discharge station L.

The inner end of the auxiliary shift rod 255 engages against the freeend of a cam lever 251 (Figs. 4 and 11) carried on a pivot stud 256secured in the machine base plate 45. This lever carries a depending camroller 259 which operates against a continuously rotating edge cam ortilting cam 26I which is integral with the tilting cam 81 and whichrotates with this cam once for each partial rotation of the cradle. Aspring 262 keeps the roller in engagement with the cam. One end of thespring is secured in an arm 263 formed on the lever. The opposite end ofthe spring is hooked over a pin 264 secured in the machine base plate45.

After the discharge of the sealed bag A from the cradle 2I, theauxiliary shift rod 255 is retracted to its original position inreadiness for the next cradle and its sealed bag. However, the cradlefrom which the bag has been discharged, remains in its outwardly andangularly projected position for transfer in this position to thereceiving station F where it is further shifted into a horizontalposition as hereinbefore explained, to start a new cycle of travel.

This holding of the cradle in its angularly disposed position iseffected by a retaining roller 266 (Figs. 4 and 10) which is normallydisposed below the path of travel of the curvedshoes 83 on the cradlesupport member 36 but which is moved up into engagement with the shoe,upon its outward projection at the discharge station, to hold it in thisposition. This roller is mounted on the upper end of an actuating pin261 carried in a slide bearing 268 formed in the machine base plate 45.The lower end of the pin is pivotally connected to a cam lever 269 whichis mounted on a pivot pin 21I carried in the machine base plate. Theinner end of the cam lever 259 carries a cam roller 212 which operatesagainst the lower face of the tilting cam 251. This face of the cam isformed to rock the cam lever 259 at the proper time in the rotation ofthe cam 26L 1 The retaining roller 266 is located beyond the auxiliaryshift rod 255 in a position where it holds the shoe 83 in a projectedposition during the movement, of the shoe while the empty cradle 2| ispassing from the discharge station 1.- into the receiving station F tobegin another cycle of travel. As the empty cradle approaches the receiving station, the shoe comes into engagement with the outer end ofthe shift rod 8!. The support of the shoe is thereby transferred fromthe retaining roller 2% to the shift rod SI. The roller is thendepressed in readiness for the next incoming cradle and shoe 83. Thiscompletes a cycle of operation of the machine.

' It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In a machine for sealing or other flexible container filled Witharticles, the combination of a holder for a bag filled with articles,transfer means disposed adjacent holder for removing said filled bagfrom said holder, a cradle movable along a substantially horizontal pathof travel adjacent said holder, means said cradle along its path oftravel. and means for tilting said cradle and for reciprocating itlaterally relative to its path of travel into different positionsincluding a position for receiving said bag from said transfer means, abag sealing position and other positions for subsequent treatment ofsaid bag.

2. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a holder for supporting a horizontallydisposed bag filled with articles, transfer means disposed adjacent saidholder for removing said filled bag from said holder, a cradle movablealong a horizontal path of travel extending laterally of said holder,means for moving said cradle along its path of travel, and means forvertically rotating said cradle relative to its horizontal path oftravel into different positions including a substantially horizontalposition for receiving said bag from said transfer means, a bag sealingposition, and other positions for subsequent treatment of said bag.

3. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a holder for a bag filled witharticles, transfer means disposed adjacent said holder for removing saidfilled bag from said holder. a cradle movable along a path of travelextending through a plurality of stations including a receiving stationdisposed adjacent said holder, a

bag sealing station and a discharge station, a

door on said cradle, means for moving said cradle intermittently intoand through said stations. means operable against said cradle door Whilethe cradle is at said receiving station for closing said door, meansadjacent said discharge station for opening said door to facilitatedischarge of a sealed bag from said cradle, means for shifting saidcradle into position for receiving the filled bag from said holder, andmeans for thereafter shifting said cradle and the bag received thereininto bag sealing and discharge positions at said bag sealing anddischarge stations, respectively.

4. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flex- '-ible container filledwith articles, the ccmbina- "tion of. a holder for a bag filled witharticles,

transfer means disposed adjacent said holder for removing said filledbag from said holder, a cradle movable along a path of travel extendingthrough a plurality of stations including a receiving station disposedadjacent said transfer means, a bag sealing station and a dischargestation, a door on said cradle, a lock on said cradle to secure saiddoor in closed position, means for moving said cradle intermittentlyinto and through said stations, means operable against said cradle doorwhile the cradle is at said receiving station for closing and lockingsaid cradle door, means adjacent said discharge station for unlockingand opening said door to facilitate discharge of a sealed bag from thecradle, means for shifting said cradle into position for receivingthefilled bag from said transfer means, and means for thereaftershifting said cradle and the bag received therein into bag sealing anddischarge positions at said bag sealing and discharge stations,respectively.

5. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledWith articles, the combination of a holder for a bag filled witharticles, transfer means disposed adjacent said holder for removing saidfilled bag from said holder, a cradle movable along a path of travelextending through a plurality of stations including a receiving stationdisposed adjacent said holder and a sealing station and a dischargestation removed from said holder, means for moving said cradleintermittently into and through said stations, means at said receivingstation and operable on said cradle for shifting said cradle into ahorizontal position for receiving the filled bag from said holder, meansoperable on said cradle at said receiving station for shifting thecradle and the bag therein into a vertical position for sealing, asealing head at said sealing station for sealing said bag, and means atsaid discharge station and operable on said cradle for shifting saidcradle into a position for discharging the sealed bag therefrom.

6. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combonation of a cradle movable along a path oftravel extending through a plurality of stations including a receivingstation and a sealing station and a discharge station, means for movingsaid cradle intermittently into and through said stations, means at saidreceiving station and operable on said cradle for shifting said cradleinto a horizontal position for receiving a filled bag, means operable onsaid cradle at said receiving station for shifting the cradle and thebag therein .into a vertical position for sealing, a sealing head atsaid sealing station'for sealing said bag, and means at said dischargestation and operable on said cradle for shifting said cradle into aposition for discharging the sealed bag therefrom.

7. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of an intermittently rotatable member, amovable support carried on said member and rotatable with said memberthrough a curved path of travel extending through a plurality of spacedstations including a receiving station and :a sealing and a dischargestation, a cradle carbed on said support for receiving and holding afilled bag to be sealed, means at said receiving station and at saiddischarge station for shifting said support relative to said rotatablemember,

and means operable againstsaid cradle through the movement of saidsupport for shifting said .cradlc into different positions includingpost- 15 tions for receiving, sealing and discharging said filled bag.

8. In a machine for sealing a bag or other fiexible container filledwith articles, the combination of an intermittently rotatable member, aplurality of movable supports carried on said member and rotatable withsaid member through a curved path of travel extending through aplurality of spaced stations including a receiving station and a sealingand a discharge station, a cradle carried on each of said supports forreceiving and holding a filled bag to be sealed, means at said receivingstation and at said discharge station for shifting said supportssuccessively relative to said rotatable member, and means operableagainst said cradles through the movement of said supports for shiftingsaid cradles into different positions for receiving, sealing anddischarging said filled bag.

9. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a rotatable member, indexing means forrotating said member intermittently through a step-by-step cycle, amovable support carried on said member and rotatable with said memberthrough a curved path of travel extending through a plurality of spacedstations including a receiving station and a sealing and a dischargestation, a cradle carried on said support for receiving and holding afilled bag to be sealed, means at said receiving station and at saiddischarge station for shifting said support relative to said rotatablemember, means operable against said cradle through the movement of saidsupport for shifting said cradle into different positions includingpositions for receiving, sealing and discharging said filled bag, andmeans for retaining said cradle in its discharge position for entry intosaid receiving station in this position.

10. In a'machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of an intermittently rotatable member, aplurality of parallelogram links pivotally carried on said member, amovable support carried on said parallelogram links and rotatable withsaid member through a curved path of travel extending through aplurality of spaced stations including a receiving station and a sealingand a discharge station, a cradle pivotally mounted on said support forreceiving and holding a filled bag to be sealed, spring means connectingsaid cradle with said rotatable member, means at said receiving stationand at said discharge station for shifting said support relative to saidrotatable member, and a tilting link connecting said cradle with saidrotatable member for tilting said cradle with the movement of saidsupport for shifting said cradle into different positions includingpositions for receiving, sealing and discharging said filled bag.

11. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a cradle movable along a path oftravel for receiving and holding a filled bag to be sealed, said cradlehaving a bottom, an open top and side walls, one of said side wallsbeing a door hingedly connected to said bottom and movable outward tofacilitate reception of and discharge of said bag, latch devices carriedon said cradle for locking said door in closed position, means formoving said cradle along its path of travel, means for shifting saidcradle relative to its path of travel into different positions includinga position for receiving said bag and other positions for sealing anddischarging said bag,

means adjacent said path of travel and engageable with said door whenthe cradle is in a receiving positon for closing and locking said doorafter reception of a bag in said cradle, and means engageable with saidlatch devices for unlocking said door when said cradle is in a dischargeposition for releasing the bag from said cradle.

12. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of an intermittently rotatable member, amovable support carried on said member and rotatable with said memberthrough a curved path of travel extending through a plurality of spacedstations including a receiving station and a sealing and a dischargestation, a cradle carried on said support for receiving and holding afilled bag to be sealed, means at said receiving station and at saiddischarge station for shifting said support relative to said rotatablemember, means operable against said cradle through the movement of saidsupport for shifting said cradle into different positions includingpositions for receiving, sealing and discharging said filled bag, asealing head at said sealing station for folding inwardly a marginaledge portion of said bag for sealing said bag, and a sealing pad carriedon and rotatable with said member and disposed adjacent said cradle andmovable at said sealing station into engagement with the folded marginaledge portion of the bag for holding said edge portion in sealingposition for a predetermined travel of said cradle.

13. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination comprising a frame; a rotatable supportmounted on said frame; support members radially reciprocal on saidrotatable support; cradles pivotally mounted on said support members;tilting links connecting said cradles and rotatable support, each ofsaid links having an end pivotally mounted on a cradle and its oppositeend pivotally mounted on said rotatable support; bag transfer, sealing,and discharge mechanism on said frame and disposed respectively attransfer, sealing, and discharge stations located adjacent the path ofsaid cradles when the latter are rotated with said rotatable support;and means for rotating said rotatable support, for actuating said bagtransfer, sealing, and discharge mechanism, and for reciprocating saidsupport members and cradles mounted on said rotatable support in timedrelation one with the other so that each cradle is reciprocated andtilted to a horizontal bag receiving position at said transfer station,to a vertical position at said sealing station, and to an inclinedposition at said discharge station.

14. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a holder for supporting a horizontallydisposed bag filled with articles, a cradle having a support thereformovably disposed adjacent said holder, said cradle having an open endalignable with said holder, transfer means adjacent said holder fortransferring said bag bottom end foremost from said holder to saidcradle when the open end of the cradle is in aligned position with saidholder, and means for moving said cradle with and relative to its saidsupport into different positions including said aligned position forreceiving said bag from said holder and thence into a different bagsealing position.

15. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a holder for supporting an empty bagin position for the reception of the articles, a cradle having a supporttherefor movably disposed adjacent said holder, said cradle having anopen end alignable with said holder, transfer means adjacent said holderfor inserting the articles into the empty bag and for transferring thefilled bag bottom end foremost from said holder to said cradle when theopen end of the cradle is in aligned position with said holder, saidtransfer means having a pusher plate movable through and beyond saidholder for fully seating the filled bag in said cradle, and means formoving said cradle with and relative to its said support into differentpositions including said aligned position for receiving said bag fromsaid holder, a bag sealing position and into other positions forsubsequent treatment of said bag.

16. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a holder for supporting an empty bagin position for the reception of the articles, a cradle having a supporttherefor movably disposed adjacent said holder, said cradle beingtiltably mounted on said support and having an open end alignable withsaid holder, transfer means adjacent said holder for inserting thearticles into the empty bag and for simultaneously transferring thefilled bag bottom end foremost from said holder to said cradle when theopen end of the cradle is in aligned position with said holder, saidtransfer means having a pusher plate movable through and beyond saidholder for fully seating the filled bag in said cradle, and means fortilting said cradle on its said movable support into different positionsincluding said aligned position for receiving said bag from said holder,a bag sealing position and thereafter into other positions forsubsequent treatment of said bag.

17. In a machine for sealing/a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a holder for supporting a horizontallydisposed bag filled with articles, a cradle having a support thereformovably disposed adjacent said holder, said cradle being pivotallymounted on said support and having an open end alignable with saidholder, transfer means adjacent said holder for transferring said bagbottom end foremost from said holder to said cradle when the open end ofthe cradle is in aligned position with said holder, and means operablein time with said transfer means for tilting a cradle on its saidsupport into different positions including said aligned position forreceiving said bag, a bag sealing position and other positions forsubsequent treatment of said bag.

18. In a machine for sealing a bag or other flexible container filledwith articles, the combination of a holder for supporting a bag filledwith articles, transfer means disposed adjacent said holder for removingsaid filled bag from said holder, a cradle having a support thereformovable along a path of travel adjacent said holder, said cradle beingtiltably mounted on its said support and having an open end alignablewith said transfer means, means for moving said cradle and its supportalong said path of travel, and means fortilting said cradle on its saidsupport to align its open end with said transfer means for receivingsaid filled bag therefrom, and means for thereafter tilting said cradleon said support into a bag sealing position and into other positions forsubsequent treatment of said bag.

AUGUST E. ALMGREN.

JOHN P. JAKOB.

FRANK W. GOODRICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,487,840 Conley et al. Mar. 25,1924 v 1,989,471 Belcher Jan. 29, 1935

